Clean up your act

November 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

Belco needs to join the 21st Century when it comes to the power that it uses to drive its massive Pembroke plant that it now says will soon be inadequate.

According to the Friday's piece in this newspaper, Belco wants to build two more stacks to the northwest of its existing plant.

Why has Belco not yet presented a forward thinking plan that would be an environmentally sound alternative to the fossil fuels it insists upon using? It doesn't make economic sense to simply continue to be the victim of rising fossil fuel prices and have the customer foot the bill.

Is Belco waiting for oil to skyrocket to $500 a barrel to put the residents of this Island over their own customised payment barrels?

In the Middle East, Venezuela and other oil-rich countries, there are ongoing wars and dictatorships that affect the price of what we in this tiny island go about using freely and almost without thought because many of us now have plenty of cash to pay for it.

What about those of us who are working our fingers to the bone and are struggling to pay whopping electrical bills? What will happen when it all goes wrong in one of those politically volatile countries loaded with fossil fuel and the cost of barrels of oil skyrockets –again?

It is not right that in 2007, a long-term, ecologically sound alternative has not been presented. Belco had the perfect public relations opportunity – celebrating its 100 years and all of that - to really give its captive customers something to celebrate.

And please don't just pay us all lip service. Put some decent plans on the table.

What about windmills? (Don't get me started about the Planning Department's recent kybosh on the forward thinker who wanted windmills to power up his house.)

I was heartened to hear just yesterday that Belco is considering harnessing Bermuda's offshore currents and constant wave motion to generate electricity. I'd love to know more, please.

I also understand that there is a Belco pilot project at a Warwick home that it has outfitted with solar-power and other energy saving devices. I wonder if that's the one I passed on Middle Road on the left heading west after Warwick Academy. Is this simply show-and-tell?

Why do we in Pembroke have to have two more stacks – and more pollution – in our world? Surely alternative power options need to be employed, as they have been for many years in California?

What if something like another fire recurs at the main plant? For now, what should be re-visited is that larger sub stations be built elsewhere on the Island.

Please start thinking out of the myopic financial box, and get real with the environment and the cost of things to come. Stop trying to appease shareholders and start acting responsibly toward the Island's residents.

The new hospital plan to swallow the Botanical Gardens was changed after public opinion was heard…hopefully forever... You are about to face the same music, except with more passion because a lot of us are pretty worked up about the way some big businesses and some elected political representatives act on what was once one of the most pristine 21-square-miles of beauty on this Earth.

Bermuda could be an enviable environmental model that could make other large nations take notice. Belco needs to take lessons from the Green countries of this Planet, who have already walked the experimental energy path. The wheel doesn't have to be reinvented in Bermuda.

Sure, it'll cost a lot to start off with, but what about the future? Has anyone floated this scheme of building two more stacks in the same area as the other three past their grandchildren? I bet they'd be less than happy, if asked.

As a Bermudian who grew up in Pembroke and sees the three towers daily, hears the constant noise and watches the thick, black, carcinogenic smoke from the scrubber-less stacks being emitted at dawn before most other folks have ended their time in Dreamland, I ask: Why is it necessary to buy up the neighbouring land and continue this sprawl?

It is time for every resident to pull together and demand that these plans be dismissed summarily.

Belco, please go back to the drawing board and return with a new plan that offers Green alternatives to the current plans – for everyone's health.

BERMUDA NEEDS TO BE GREEN

Pembroke

Shut out of Facebook

November 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am a black, Bermudian, male teenager who attends Saltus Grammar School. As the General Election of 2007 is right around the corner, we can see the political scene begin to heat up.

We have one party who claims they have a new agenda and image, being the United Bermuda Party. On the other hand we have a party who claims they need more time to accomplish the tasks at hand. As the world progresses and technology becomes the avenue of our daily lives, we can see both parties using technology to appeal to younger voters. The most common use of technology is an Internet website known as Facebook. If you are looking for easy access to candidates from both parties, then Facebook is the place for you.

The purpose of this letter is not to educate the people of Bermuda about technology based politics; instead I intend to let them know about by mistreatment on the Facebook website. Mr. Editor, I am a very active member on both the PLP and UBP's Facebook groups. I have a huge love of politics, and jump at the chance to share my views which I would like to think embody the youth of Bermuda. I like to question both parties about their policies and views.

Recently, I felt the need to comment on the UBP's Facebook group. You see Mr. Editor, from day to day all I hear is the PLP should have done this, they should do that, why haven't they fixed things? It seems as if the blame for the UBP's actions is constantly targeted towards the PLP. We are so quick to forget why Bermuda is what it is today; I thought I would remind everyone by posting factual information on the UBP's Facebook group.

I focused on key issues such as housing, transportation, international business, and most important education. These issues are neither new nor emerging. They have been her for years, a lot longer than the PLP's 9 years of government. How many of us are tired of the 45 minutes drive in the morning from Somerset to Hamilton? I know many of us struggle to pay $2,500 a month for rent. It is sad to see that the average Bermudian has an up hill battle when it comes to living comfortably in this precious island. I then asked members of the UBP Facebook group, who do we blame for this? Many at first chance would accuse the PLP, but I informed them that the UBP was indeed responsible for most issues that we face today.

The UBP was responsible for the introduction of CedarBridge Academy "the safety hazard" and the Middle School System. When it was introduced, the same institution was failing in the United States. Why take on a failing institution? Who remembers the Technical Institute? This was a successful institution which put out successful and skilled black tradesman. Why close it down?

It was the UBP who allowed the proliferation of International Business. As tourism was failing, why would the UBP not take on a proactive role in restoring Bermuda's tourism industry? Instead, International Business took precedence over the Tourism Industry. International Business may have been the best thing for Bermuda, but in disparity it was also the worst. It introduced new problems such as transportation, housing and foreign workers.

With International Business came many job opportunities and more careers. Who would fulfil these new positions if a large number of Bermudians were receiving a less than satisfactory education? The more than obvious solution would be the importation of foreign workers or 'expats'. As the population of Bermuda increased so did the need for housing. As demand increased, supply stayed the same. Rents flew through the roof, and affordable living became a dream. It seemed day by day that the economy of Bermuda was becoming one of the rich and wealthy.

As the Progressive Labour Party came into power in 1998, they were faced with all these issues. They had to find solutions as in inexperienced, brand new government. These are solutions which are still being developed. I shared all this information on the UBP's Facebook group, and within 15 minutes of my postings, I was deleted and blocked from the group. When asked why I was blocked and deleted from the group, I was told that it's a group for supporters, and that I should join a more neutral group.

In the description of the group, it clearly states that the UBP group is an open group for all Bermudians. That meaning, I can join and express my views freely. Right? Nope, Wrong! The UBP claims it will be an open government who is accountable and answers questions of the public. I was only asking questions and holding them accountable for their actions, so why delete me. I wander if this same mentality will carry on into their government, if they should be elected. Will they be a government which is only for its supporters? Will I be deleted and blocked from Bermuda altogether if I speak out? I am utilising my divine rights as a citizen of Bermuda.

In closing, sir, I feel I should leave you with the same remarks as I left the UBP group. It takes a lot longer to fix something then it does to break it. You can tear a piece of paper into a thousand pieces within a matter of seconds, but it takes minutes, maybe even hours to put each piece in its distinctive position and original place. In reality, it took the UBP 35 years to damage Bermuda, and make it what it is today, so just imagine how long it will take either Government to fix those problems already caused.

A CONCERNED TEEN

Hamilton Parish

Human rights violated

November 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed Immigration Act on the grounds that it violates our human rights as Bermudians.

Among other issues, human rights refers to allowing "equality before the law". The proposed Act discriminates against Bermudians who happen to have non-Bermudian spouses, or who may marry a non-Bermudian in the future (for example, see Part 1, Section 2 (a) iii of the Bermuda Human Rights Act). The proposed Immigration Act would deprive these Bermudians, regardless of their economic background, race, or religion, of "equality before the law".

At the most basic level, human rights are an extension of natural rights. Such natural rights exist even when encroached upon by a current or future governing body. Such an infringement as proposed by the Act in question opens the door for the Government to further restrict our rights as individuals and as Bermudians. The potential for human rights violations stemming from this Act is both dangerous and expansive.

One of the responsibilities of our Government is to respect and ensure human rights for all Bermudians without distinction relating to race, religion, sex, political opinion, disability, or marital status. Bermudians of all backgrounds have the right to marry and create a family, and are entitled to protection of that Bermudian family by their society. Bermudians are entitled to equality of rights regarding their choices regarding marriage: whom to marry, equality of rights during the marriage, and equality in the case of dissolution of marriage. Children of Bermudians are also entitled to protection under the Bermuda Human Rights laws.

The proposed Act would not only discriminate against adult Bermudians marrying non-Bermudians, but would discriminate against their children, as well.

I strongly encourage all Bermudians interested in ensuring their human rights to oppose this Act.

JULIA COUPER LEO, Ph.D.

Miami, Florida

Good for the goose ...

November 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I think it is very interesting that the Auditor General, Larry Dennis, would state (in relation to the "police raid" at his office) "I think this is a terrible situation. It's a shock to me that we actually experience it in 2007."

I find his remarks interesting especially in light of Mr. Dennis remarks in his Report for the Financial Year April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006. At that time the Auditor General, in his quest to prove that the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) had done something illegal and criminal with regards to the Performance Bond provided to ProActive Management Systems, said that "The Bermuda Police Service had been given written instructions to do so" (investigate the BIU). What he did not say in his Report, is who gave the Police written instructions. Was it him or someone else and under what authority?

Why would the Auditor General be shocked that the police raided his office, when that is exactly what he wanted to happen at the offices of the BIU?

In fact, in his report he has made it clear that between October 2002 and January 2007, he continued to "encourage" the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate the BIU, although the operations of the BIU does not come under the auspices of the Auditor General or the Bermuda Government. Does the Auditor General think that the Police "intelligence" only pertains to some people? Is he not aware that Police have surveillance teams observing suspects of criminal behaviour?

I would like to know what you, Mr. Editor, meant when you stated that the "raid has occurred in the middle of a general election campaign is even more remarkable"? Are you suggesting that because Bermuda is in the midst of a general election campaign that the Bermuda Police Service should take a holiday? Or are you suggesting that no crime is taking place in Bermuda because we're in the midst of a General Election Campaign?

Also, how do you know that the Police did not ask Mr. Dennis to hand over the documents they were looking for? Maybe you, Mr. Editor, could explain to the people of Bermuda why the Auditor General would have documents pertaining to his position stored in his home that were also accessible to his wife?

It's most interesting to me that there are some in this community who would love to see the homes and offices of the Premier of Bermuda (the highest Bermudian official in the island) and some Cabinet Ministers (whose positions are higher than that of the Auditor General) raided by the Bermuda Police Service.

These same people would have loved it if the Bermuda Police Service had raided the offices of the BIU, but yet you are aghast that the Bermuda Police Service would "raid" (your word, not mine) the offices of the Auditor General. After all, Mr. Editor, you and others have suggested on more than one occasion that the Premier and other Cabinet Ministers should be "treated like common criminals. Why not the Auditor General? Is he less susceptible to criminal behaviour than the Premier and other Cabinet Minister because he is the Auditor General?

With regard to the Auditor General, the leaked BHC police files and the self-confessed "Son of the Soil", all I have to say is that "birds of a feather, flock together".

LAVERNE FURBERT

Hamilton Parish

Editor's Note: Ms Furbert is not the first person to take quotations from editorials out of context, but with regard to the editorial statement that it was remarkable that the raid took place in the middle of an election campaign, she omitted to incude the follow-on statement: "To be sure, the Police must act without fear or favour and should not take politics into account when investigating a crime.

"Nor is there any suggestion that the Police should not investigate the removal of the infamous Police files."

Finally, no editorial in this newspaper has ever suggested that "the Premier and other Cabinet Ministers should be 'treated like common criminals'."

Premier parking

November 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

Well, will wonders never cease! How I was wishing I had my camera with me to catch unbelievable sight while staying at the Southampton Princess last weekend, truly worthy of a Bermuda "Well I Never" column... there it was the 'GP1' car (the Premier's car) parked right on the grassy patch at the entrance to the hotel — you know the area which is kept pristine-looking where people don't even walk on, let alone drive a car on! I can only assume he was either late for a function, or their parking lot was full, but whatever the reason there is no excuse for this type of behaviour and as a Bermudian I was, once again, very embarrassed by the actions of the leader of our country.

Another proud moment for Bermuda!

DISGUSTED TAXPAYER

Paget